Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-02-17
PATHS BOMB.

Ine Attempt of q San Francisco Crank to
Bob the World of Its Most nlustr,ous
Song-Bird-"Hoist by His Own Petax<s-
The Diva's Nerve.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 1O-A crank at
tempted to kill Adellna Patti during the
concert last night at the Grand Opera
house by bomb. The would-be assassin
was the only one injured, though not seri-
ously, by the premature explosion Of the
engine of destruction. This was the last
night OF PATHS season here, and she was
given great ovation, the house being
crowded. At twenty minutes after ten
O'Clock, after Patti had twice appeared
in front of the curtain in re-
Spouse to calls, at the con-
clusion of the aria from Traviata,
and just as she had retired again to the
wings, tremendous explosion was heard
above vociferous applause, and cloud Of
the top gallery.
Instantly every lorgnette in the house
was focused on the position in the house
where an exciting scene was transpir ing,
and panic was imminent
People in the gallery were rushing about
seeking the quickest means of exit, and it
was only by the self-possession of some
newspaper men present in box, coupled
with that of the diva, that a stampede of
the entire house for outdoors was pre-
vented Several newspapers men were
in stage box and quickly perceived that
no serious result had occurred and
that the danger was over. They
communicated by mods and motions
with Patti, who was still in sight in
tho flies to come before the curtain. She
co1pprehended the situation, came forward
quickly, and, giving the cue to Arditi, be-
gan singing Home, Sweet Home" This
had calming effect upon the audience,
and though many left to ascertain the
cause and effect of the unexpected inter-
ruption to the performance, the concert
was carried ON to is conclusion.
AS soon as the location of the trouble
! could be learned, a policeman rushed to
| the scene, and found a man with badly
| burned face and hands moaning with
agony, and the remains of an Internal
machine about him. He was placed I'M
der arrest and conveyed to Irving Hos
pital where he stated he had stopped to
pick up his hat and cane, and found a
package under the seat, which he picked
up, and that as he raised it to see what
| it was it exploded. Though he was badly
| burned about the face and hands,
it is believed he received no serious in
juries. No other person is known to be
hurt. He gave his name as DR.. James
No. Central Place, aged seventy-one.
Others, however, gave different and
undoubtedly correct version of the affair.
A lady who sat next to him narrowly es-
! capped injury. She says during the even
ing he made number of significant re-
| marks, which pointed clearly to the pur-
pose which he later attempted to carry
| out. Among the observations which the
lady distinctly remembered was:
"Patti is signing excellently tonight,
| but she will never sing any more"
He also was heard to make uncompli-
mentary and revengeful illusions to j. G.
Flood and family, who occupied a box.
At Irving Hospital, after his wounds
were dressed, the chief of police attempt
ed to make him commit himself, but
was completely unsuccessful He stOutly
maintained his innocence. The chief of
police pronounces him a crank.
The bomb which exploded prematurely
in the hands of the crank at the Grand
Opera-house last night was made of can
filled with powder, in the center of which
was bottle. The can was wrapped in
pieces of cloth soaked in infia mmable oil,
and it is believed that the intention was
not only to kill Patti and those n ear the
stage, but also to set fire to the building.
1t was arranged to explode by number
of friction matches which connected
with fuse inserted il the powder. The
theory is that the fuse burned too quickly
for the crank.
Though Patti performed her part in the
evenings programme, the occurrence
somewhat subdued her usual vivacity.